Khamzat Chimaev's highly anticipated comeback fight is in jeopardy as former middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis advises the UFC against booking a 'ridiculous' rematch for the Chechen-Russian phenom.
What happened?
Dricus du Plessis lost his title when he attempted to defend it for the first time in May, falling to Sean Strickland via split decision at UFC 328. The loss marked Chimaev's first MMA defeat, and the 15-1 fighter has been campaigning for an immediate rematch ever since.
Why it matters for Khamzat Chimaev
Du Plessis, who has been vocal about his concerns, believes that Chimaev's comeback fight should not be a title shot. "Between Sean and Khamzat, there is no title defenses," he told Submission Radio. "The Khamzat rematch is ridiculous. It doesn't make any sense."
What comes next?
Chimaev's comeback fight is set to take place at UFC Oklahoma City, where du Plessis will face Kamaru Usman in the main event on Saturday night. If du Plessis emerges victorious, he expects to call out Chimaev and Strickland for a potential title shot. "I'll just fight my way back," he said. "After my performance, let my performance speak. That's the thing."
Du Plessis will look to propel himself back into title contention with a win over Usman, who has been out of the Octagon since losing his welterweight title to Leon Edwards last year. The South African-born fighter has been training hard for his return, and is expected to put on a strong performance against du Plessis.
The UFC has yet to officially announce Chimaev's comeback fight, but sources close to the promotion suggest that the fight is still in the works. If the fight does take place, it will be a highly anticipated matchup between two of the top contenders in the welterweight division.
In the meantime, du Plessis will look to make a statement against Usman, and prove to the UFC that he is still a force to be reckoned with in the Octagon. "I'll do my talking there, and I'll prove once again why I am the best in the world," he said.
The event is set to take place at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Saturday night, with du Plessis and Usman facing off in the main event. The winner of the fight will be one step closer to a potential title shot, and will look to make a statement in the highly competitive welterweight division.
Chimaev's comeback fight, on the other hand, remains uncertain, with du Plessis's comments casting doubt on the UFC's decision to grant the Chechen-Russian fighter an immediate rematch. Only time will tell if Chimaev will get his wish, but one thing is certain - the welterweight division is about to get a whole lot more interesting.
The event is set to take place on July 18, 2026, at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. The main event is scheduled to start at 10 PM ET, and will be broadcast live on ESPN.